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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Sunday’s Grafton meeting. Selections based on a good track.

5. Volcanic Love is a local on debut and looked professional in winning his trial here a few weeks back. Sat just behind them and cruised away in the run home. Drawn nicely and if he runs up to the trial he’ll be hard to beat.

Dangers: 9. Erelle is another facing the starter for the first time and she also looked the park in a strong Scone trial win. Sat back behind a tearaway leader and finished off over the top. Gate one and the claim give her every chance. 6. Boambee Beach was a drifter in betting and started huge odds on debut before chaging down the outside to run second at Ballina. 13. Invincible Alf trialled okay before a fair debut here back in February in rainy conditions. Runner-up to Volcanic Love in latest trial and is worth keeping safe with any luck.

How to play it: Volcanic Love WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Volcanic Love wins a trial at Grafton on June 10

2. Deep Opinions impressed with a runaway win at Newcastle before going into a Midway and starting right in the market at Rosehill. Ran well there but back against her own age and a smaller field she could easily bounce back.

Dangers: 3. Smart City shapes as the horse to run down after a very easy win at Ballina over 1590m as a $1.55 favourite. Led all the way there and did it easily. Imagine he leads again here and commands respect. 1. Olakau’atu did a good job despite being beaten as favourite at Coffs Harbour first-up. Sat wide and made a long run which clearly ended in the last 100m. Gives away a start again here you’d think and should be running on. 4. Bonjour Rupert comes through the same race and he ran on well into third. Has a consistent record and is one of the chances.

How to play it: Deep Opinions WIN ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Deep Opinions wins at Newcastle on May 30

2. Cenotes hasn’t done a lot wrong in seven starts for six placings and might be ready for the extra trip after working home okay into third at Port Macquarie two weeks ago. If he can just hold a closer position he should be hard to hold out.

Dangers: 10. Enterprise Fuse is a local and her past few have been solid enough. In the market and di have her chance when fourth over this course last time but that was on a heavy track. Well worth another look. 12. Merapi sat handy and while no match for the winner did hold on well for second in the same race as Cenotes at Port. Draw against her this time but can’t leave out of the chances. 3. Filthy Rich ran a much improved second in a similar race here on heavy ground third-up and while drawn out could go on with it with a bit of luck.

How to play it: Cenotes WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Cenotes runs third at Port Macquarie on June 18

16. Talons bumped into a smart one when resuming at Muswellbrook running a solid second then hit the line again at Scone when well supported. Shapes as though the extra trip will suit and should be close to a peak. Go well.

Dangers: 8. Negation settled back and swung wide on the turn at Ballina then rushed into third when resuming at 1000m. Fitter for that and may need a bit of luck but sure to be hard to hold out if the race is run to suit. 3. Sarsen has a consistent record though has only managed a placing when fresh once and that was last time in. Trialled twice in June and drawn well so stays under notice. 2. Propel Motion has been freshened since failing at Kembla Grange in mid-May but ran well first-up and has blinkers on so a likely improver.

How to play it: Talons E/W ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Talons runs fourth at Scone on June 13

7. Heir Apparent won nicely when resuming last time in then went off the boil with three failures before a spell. Trialled okay recently and drawn to get a nice run. One to keep an eye on.

Dangers: 4. October Revolution is enjoying a good preparation, particularly recently, and has to be included in the chances. Just found In A Step a shade better last time at Taree. 8. Small Town has ability and can mix form so go on his easy win here in April rather than his fading effort at Newcastle last time. Freshened up and can run well. 5. Pace Stick is a big watch fresh and 1. Bow faces a task but will be running on.

How to play it: Heir Apparent E/W ($11 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

5. Gulf Of Tomini was outclassed at Rosehill last time so forget that. Looked good winning twice at Port Macquarie prior including one at 2000m. Has a great record at this track and only has to regain previous form to be in the finish of this.

Dangers: 6. Byakko is a huge watch tackling this first-up since winning over this course back on March 27, and winning it easily. Won at 1700m fresh in that preparation so is obviously a strong staying type. Keep safe. 2. Our Bambino won at Kembla over a mile three back and solid third in a strong Benchmark 72 at Canterbury two back. Just fair there last time out but suited in this company and is one of the chances. 3. Olympic Class was solid in betting and ran up to it with a nice win at Lismore fourth-up. Draw doesn’t help his cause but if he can hold his form he should be around the mark again.

How to play it: Gulf Of Tomini E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Gulf Of Tomini wins at Port Macquarie on May 29

12. Proverbial resumed with a strong finishing Highway win at Rosehill in what’s been a good form race since. Had support there and ran up to it. Races well fresh and while up in class here there’s no reason to think she can’t handle it. Read trainer Lou Mary's comments here.

Dangers: 7. Standing Bear has been largely unwanted in betting in his two easy wins at Port Macquarie. Dropped to 1000m but it didn’t matter last time as he swept home from the back. Has won here previously and is in the mix. 2. Swanston has been freshened up since an even effort over a mile at Eagle Farm. Has a handy record at this track and distance and from a soft gate can't be underestimated. 10. Holy Tycoon wasn't suited first-up behind Passeggiata at Randwick. Fitter and return to country grade could assist.

How to play it: Proverbial WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Proverbial wins at Rosehill on June 3

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Grafton meeting